POLITICAL NOTES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue 13601, 4 November 1918, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

(By Telegraph.) (Spacial to the Oamaru Mail.) WELLINGTON, November 2. - NEW ZEALAND'S WAR. HISTORY. There appears to he quite a mystery in connection, -with the. compilation of a popular history of New Zealand's military part in the early stages of the war as recounted principally by soldiers' in letters to relatives. The name oF the author is, like the birth of Jeaines, "Wrapt in Mis try." It is said, however, that either Mr W. H. Montgomery, formerly of djjistchurch,. or -Colonel "Jacky" Hughes is preparing the book. But why all the secrecy? BOYCOTT OF LABOR. Labour members have been rather incensed at what they deem to be the Government's deliberate "boycotting" of the party as iregardls appointment to the most important? select committees of the House. The keenest protest was raised against the fact that no Labor member has been nominated for either the Lands or the Education Committees. Since political Labor and 1 the mass of tiie workers are particularly interested in both these important national subjects Labor's grievance seems well founded. It is interesting to note how Ministers and Reform members are endeavoring assiduously to avoid giving the Labor members the status of a Party, and how care is taken to refer to them as the "Labor group." Occasionally, however, the good intentions slacken and even a Minister sometimes talks about the Labor Party. BROAD TALK MADE EASY. It is clear that Education is to become a much favored hobby of politicians who find it easy to talk glibly of overcrowding in schools, overlapping; of activities, and so on without discussing the ethics of -education!. But they nearly all stand for unity of control, and, "of course, "a broad comprehensive policy of development." The same general talk is . heard about the development of liydro-electric power. Meanwhile nothing is being dome. THE DEFENCE COMMISSION'S ' REPORT, Was the Defence Commission's report censured by the Government? Mr, Witty has pressed to know if the report- contained a clause adversely criticising the services of the Chief of the. General Staff, and why it was excised. THE BUDGET. The Budget is' well under preparation, and should be ready for presentation within a fortnight. In addition to details of the finances generally it will outline new proposals and tiie necessity for developing the Dominion's resources in order to promote a scheme of ..repatriation of soldiers. It will also show that the country experienced remarkably good year as regards trade r.rd industry.